Mehelich accepts new St. Cloud post

The city of Elk River has lost its director of economic development to the city of St. Cloud.

Cathy Mehelich will lead a new economic development authority for St. Cloud, which has a population of about 65,000 people.
Cathy Mehelich

Mehelich told the Star News she had not been looking for another job when this opportunity arose, but it seemed like something worth pursuing for the Sauk Centre native and graduate of St. Cloud State University, who lives in Becker with her husband and two children.

“Something’s telling me my time is done here,” Mehelich said. “I have to trust that this door is opening because of something larger than me.”

Mehelich, who has been Elk River’s director of economic development since 2000, beat out 61 other applicants, including Abraham Lentner, an economic development officer for Richton Park, Ill., and David Simonsen, director of the Elkhorn Valley Economic Development Council in Norfolk, Neb.

St. Cloud city leaders created the EDA last year to oversee job creation and retention. St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis selected Mehelich after the city’s EDA board recommended her and two other finalists on Saturday. She will start June 1. Her last day in Elk River will be May 23.